London, ON — This holiday season has been a reflective one for Southwestern Ontario horse people who were informed just days before Christmas that the future of Standardbred racing at The Raceway at Western Fair District is in jeopardy due to Gateway Casinos’ decision to relocate. The company has decided to shift their operation from Western Fair, therefore taking the funding that helps support local racing.

“We were very disappointed with Gateway’s decision and the effect it will have on racing in the London area,” noted Bill O’Donnell, a hall of fame horseman in Canada and the US and now the president of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association which represents horse people in Ontario.

“Initially the entire reason to have the casinos located at the province’s racetracks was to mutually benefit both the slot and racetrack operators. That has now fallen by the wayside with the sale of the casinos from the Ontario government (Ontario Lottery and Gaming), to private operators.

“We’re very concerned about the future of racing in the London region which has been a hotbed for harness racing for many decades. The Raceway at Western Fair is an integral cog in the wheel of horse racing here and with more than 100 race dates per year it provides a livelihood for thousands of people in the region. The Raceway’s daily handle (amount wagered) is second only to the Woodbine Entertainment tracks which illustrate the success of their operation.”

Gateway and Western Fair negotiated for many months in an attempt to have the casino remain at its current location and for the integration of gaming and racing to continue as successfully as it has for 20 years.

“Western Fair has submitted a formal request to the government indicating the support required to continue racing at Western Fair. We solidly support this request and are optimistic it will be honored given the Ford government’s very vocal support of the restoration of the slots at racetrack program and horse racing. They’ve already set a precedent since they took over control of the provincial government and hopefully that will continue at Western Fair,” added O’Donnell.

Additionally, John Hayes, Chair of Ontario Racing which oversees harness racing in the province, issued this statement on December 27: “The Raceway at Western Fair, considering its sizeable investment and long-standing charitable endeavors in the greater London area, has been a solid citizen and integral piece of the fabric of the community for decades.

“It is most disappointing to hear that a satisfactory arrangement with its current tenant regarding future operations could not be reached. With a broad offering that extends beyond horse racing, The Raceway, its employees, the horse people and community at large face a very uncertain future. Ontario Racing is committed to providing whatever support it can to help maintain racing in the London area.”